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Chapter 1: Nine-to-Five System! Supreme Sorcerer Stephen
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Marvel Universe.
Today is April 4, 2015, a sunny Saturday in New York City. After enduring the chaos and devastation wrought by the Chitauri invasion, the city has undergone an impressive transformation. The post-war reconstruction has given New York a renewed vibrancy, and life in the bustling metropolis continues with a sense of resilience.
On the top floor of the North Building, adjacent to Central Park in Manhattan, there's a dedicated space for psychiatrists. Within this serene and orderly environment, a casual conversation is taking place.
"There's a medical banquet tonight, Lorien. Are you planning to attend?" Stephen Strange, known for his exceptional surgical skills and destined to become the future Sorcerer Supreme, directs his question to a young man reclining comfortably nearby. The man, who goes by the name Lorien, appears more youthful and undeniably more handsome than Stephen, which occasionally irks the competitive surgeon.
"Ha~~~" Lorien responds with a prolonged yawn, his posture relaxed as he reclines in the chair. His hands are propped behind his head, and his gaze is fixed on the television screen mounted on the wall. He answers with an air of indifference.
"No."
Lorien isn't just any ordinary young man; he arrived in this universe roughly a year ago. Shortly after his arrival, he discovered that he possessed a unique system known as the [Nine-to-Five System].
The system's rules are simple but strict:
[As long as he maintains a consistent 9-to-5 work schedule without overtime, he is eligible to slack off when there's nothing pressing to do. By adhering to this routine, he can punch in at the end of each workday to receive random rewards from various dimensions.]
Throughout the past year, Lorien has amassed a collection of these rewards, though many turned out to be less than impressive. Among the more trivial prizes were [endless bottles of milk tea], [infinite rolls of toilet paper], [bottomless beer mugs], and [never-ending supplies of candy eggs].
However, one reward stood out as extraordinary: a fragment of the [Phoenix Power].
The Phoenix Force is a primordial cosmic entity representing life and destruction. It bestows upon its host ultimate power and unparalleled perception. Even with just a fragment of this power, Lorien can sense the emotions, thoughts, and even events that have transpired, are unfolding, or are yet to come. But to fully harness this ability, he requires more fragments. So far, he has obtained only one.
Leveraging this extraordinary power, Lorien pursued a career in psychology, which perfectly suited his desire to adhere to a 9-to-5 schedule without the need for overtime. Over time, he earned the reputation of being the top psychologist in the United States. In his professional journey, he befriended numerous notable figures, including Stephen Strange, who is on his path to becoming the Sorcerer Supreme. Even Bruce Banner, the Hulk, sought his counsel at one point.
...
"Alright."
Stephen Strange, hearing Lorien's refusal, feels a wave of disappointment. He knows that persuading Lorien requires more than just an ordinary invitation; it needs to be enticing enough to pique his interest.
Lorien glances at his watch. The time reads 4:30 PM.
He informs Stephen, "I have half an hour left before I get off work."
The key to benefiting from his system lies in adhering strictly to his 9-to-5 work schedule. Any deviation, particularly working overtime, is not permissible. Lorien must leave the office at precisely 5 PM to punch in for his system's rewards.
Even if the coveted Heart of the Universe were to appear in his office after hours, Lorien would regard it as inconsequential, steadfast in his commitment to the system's rules.
Once his workday ends, his time is his own to manage. He declines the party not out of apathy but because such events hold little appeal to him. Social gatherings filled with self-aggrandizing chatter and idle bragging seem tedious compared to his preferred leisure activities, like gaming or appreciating the city's sights.
...
As the clock ticks closer to 5 PM, Stephen Strange quickly reassesses his approach. Observing Lorien's relaxed demeanor and lack of enthusiasm, he decides to add more details.
"This isn't merely a banquet; it's an exchange meeting. There will be doctor mentors, assistant teams, and university groups in attendance."
Despite the promising description, Lorien remains unmoved, his attention still fixed on the television.
Stephen, sensing the need for a more compelling argument, continues with a knowing smile,
"I mean, there will be various college girls and assistants, and they'll definitely be captivated by someone like you."
He raises his eyebrows suggestively, hoping to spark Lorien's interest.
Hm?
This seems to catch Lorien's attention. He glances once more at his watch, then shifts his gaze to his empty schedule book. With a hint of a smile playing on his lips, he considers the invitation.
"It seems I have some free time tonight," he finally replies, a playful grin spreading across his face.
Having made his decision, Lorien chuckles to himself.
Stephen smiled as well.
After all, Stephen had always been humorous before the accident. He even enjoyed a good laugh unless he was undergoing surgery or in front of strangers.
It was only after he became the Sorcerer Supreme that his humor became more reserved. Think about it: he's in his twenties or thirties, drives a Lamborghini, has good looks, a reputation for skill, and naturally, he's interested in attractive women.
And Lorien was no exception.
All men are like that.
Why pretend otherwise?
...
After deciding on the itinerary, Stephen perked up, getting up and pouring himself a glass of water. He then glanced at Lorien's office, which doubled as a room for displaying awards.
In Lorien's compact yet luxurious home, you could find all sorts of opulent decorations, furniture, and collectibles scattered around! If everything were sold, their total value might be in the tens of millions!
But Lorien hadn't purchased any of these items; they were all gifts from his clients!
This clearly illustrated how powerful and well-regarded Lorien was in his field. It was also one of the reasons why Stephen admired him and wanted to be his friend. Although young, Lorien had achieved successes that others could only dream of in their lifetimes!
Much like Stephen himself.